SMOoTH-HEADED Owts. RAPACES. STRIX. 61 
Schleyerkauz, Bechst. Naturg. Deut. v. 2. p. 947.—Meyer, Tasschenb. Deut. 
we I: p. 79: 
Die Kirkuil, Sepp. Nederl. Vog. v. 3. p. 399.—Frisch, Vig. t. 97. 
White Owl, Br. Zool. 1. No. 67.—Arct. Zool. No. 124.— Wil. (Ang.) p. 104. 
t. 13.—Lewin’s Br. Birds, 1. t. 26.—Lath. Syn. 1. p. 138. 26.—Id. Sup. 
p- 46.—Mont. Ornith. Dict. v. 2.—Don, Br. Birds, t. 113.—Puilt. Cat. 
Dorset. p. 4—Bewick’s Br. Birds, v. 1. p. 51. 
Barn Owl, Shaw’s Zool. 7. 258. 
Provincial, Gillihowlet, Howlet, Madge Owl, Church Owl, 
Missing Owl, Screech Owl. 
This is the most common of the British species, and is 
found in every part of the kingdom. It is an inhabitant of 
ruins, church-towers, barns and other buildings, where it is Haunts. 
not liable to continual interruption ; and is of essential service 
in checking the breed of the common and shrew mouse, upon 
which it subsists.—On. the approach of twilight it may fre- Food. 
quently be seen issuing from its retreat to the adjoining mea- 
dows and hedge-banks in search of food, hunting with great 
regularity, and precipitating itself upon its prey with rapidity 
and unerring aim. ‘This it swallows whole, and without any 
attempt to tear it in pieces with its claws. 
It breeds in old towers, under the eaves of churches, or in Nest, &c. 
similar quiet places, and sometimes in the hollows of trees, 
laying from three to five eggs, of a bluish-white colour. The 
young, when first from the shell, are covered with white down, 
and are a long time in becoming fully fledged, or in being 
able to quit the nest. Like the other species of owls, it ejects 
the hair, bones, and other indigestible parts of its food, mn 
oval pellets, by the mouth. ‘These castings are often found 
in great quantities in places where these birds have long re- 
_ sorted. 
In its flight it occasionally utters loud screams, and when 
perched, hisses and snores considerably. 
It is an abundant species throughout Europe and Asia, 
and 'TeMMINCK says it is the same throughout North Ame- 
rica. 
It is easily domesticated, and will become very tame when 
taken young. Montacu reared a white owl, a sparrow- 
